FROM THE PTG CO-PRESIDENTS
Thank you Fiona Stevenson, Julie Bailey, Susan Gillick, and all of your volunteers for a fantastic job with Thoreau’s Annual Book Fair!!! Looking forward to the next all-school event- the Adult Social on November 2. Read more below! -Louisa and Carla
ADULT SOCIAL, NOVEMBER 2 – BUY TICKETS NOW!
What do Shaggy, Journey, and Def Leopard all have in common? They will all be rocking at the Thoreau School Spirit Adult Social! Saturday, November 2, from 6-11pm at the Concord Rod and Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Rd. Wear your college or high school pride—casual attire, open bar. Get your tickets now! $25 on the PTG website thoreauptg.org or $30 at the door. Please volunteer to help with set-up, food, or break down by emailing betsydorr@comcast.net or abbygwhite@comcast.net.
COFFEE WITH THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE & SUPERINTENDENT
The School Committee and Superintendent invite the Concord and Carlisle community members to join them for coffee and conversation on the following dates/times:
- Tuesday, October 29, 7-8:30 pm, Alcott Cafeteria
- Tuesday, November 19, 7-8:30 pm Peabody Forum
Please join us! ~Diana Rigby and School Committee
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
Halloween Treats: Please remember to buy alternative treats for those Trick or Treaters who are severely allergic to food items such as peanuts, peanut butter, tree nuts ( walnuts, almonds, cashews, etc). Read ingredients on labels. Most candies may contain traces of these substances, which could cause severe illness or even death for those who are sensitive. Even plain M&Ms may be contaminated, because of proximity to or shared packaging equipment. One idea is handing out non-food item treats such as stickers, pencils or coins for those children. I always ask at the door so I can grab my alternative basket of goodies.
More Halloween safety: All parents need to check their children’s bounty, discarding any unwrapped or suspicious candy or food items. Remind your child not to eat anything until you have given the OK. Also, please make certain that your child can be seen by motorists, whether by wearing reflective clothing and/or by carrying a light. Halloween can be such a fun night, so let’s help keep the children safe. -Nicki Morina Richards, RN, MS, Thoreau School Nurse
LOST & FOUND IN THE CAFETERIA
All items remaining on Friday, November 15, will be donated to a local charity. Please check it before then. On Conference Day, Tuesday, November 12, a table and bins will be set up in the main hallway with items remaining in the Lost & Found.
COMING SOON: KINDERGARTEN/1st GRADE PARENT COFFEE!
Please join us for a “School’s underway and pre-holiday” get-together, coffee, and light snacks. This is a great opportunity to meet other parents with children in Kindergarten and First Grade. Informal/Drop-in format; RSVPs welcome but not necessary. Pre-elementary siblings welcome! Friday, November 15, 8:45am – 10:30am at 56 Hill Street, West Concord. Contact Anne Remington, annee567@yahoo.com -or- Stefanie Sim, stefaniesim1@hotmail.com.
EARLY WINDS: A HISTORY OF RECORDERS MUSIC WORKSHOP
On Wednesday October 23, David Coffin, a musician and educator, brought to Thoreau third grade classes his entertaining presentation of the history of the recorder. From the primitive ocarina and medieval gemshorns to recorders of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Coffin showed students beautifully crafted instruments from his personal collection. With humor and charisma, Coffin demonstrated how these instruments develop and create distinctive sound and music. This workshop was brought to Thoreau by the Children’s Programming Committee.
MCAS Schedule – March and May 2014
- March 18 Gr. 4 Long Composition
- March 19 Gr. 3 and Gr. 5 ELA
- March 21 Gr. 3 and Gr. 5 ELA
- March 24 Gr. 4 ELA
- March 26 Gr. 4 ELA
- May 5 Gr. 3 and Gr. 5 Math
- May 6 Gr. 3 and Gr. 5 Math
- May 7 Gr. 4 Math
- May 8 Gr. 4 Math
- May 13 Gr. 5 Science
- May 14 Gr. 5 Science
Please be mindful of these dates, and make every effort to have your children in school, and on time. Thank you for your cooperation. -Nancy Peterson, Principal
TRICK-OR-TREAT FOR UNICEF – COMING SOON
Collection boxes for UNICEF will be distributed to all students via their classrooms in the next three weeks. Donations collected during trick-or-treat time on Halloween will be put to great use for children in need of security and help.
UNICEF works in over 190 countries, including the United States. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF spends 90.4 cents of every dollar received on programs that help children. Only 6.7 cents goes to fundraising, and 2.9 cents to administration. Participants learn about the often life-threatening realities faced by children in developing countries and are empowered to take action. It is a unique opportunity for education and service. Please consider having your child participate in this wonderful program. Thank you! -Paige Somol, UNICEF Coordinator
LUNCH SCHEDULE
- Monday, October 28 Popcorn Chicken
- Tuesday, October 29 Early Release Day – No Lunch
- Wednesday, October 30 Asian Rice Bowl
- Thursday, October 31 Mac and Cheese
- Friday, November 1 Check in next Thursday’s Announcements
Around town
American Heart Association at CCHS
The Community Education department offers several more safety courses this fall.
- Pediatric First Aid: Tuesday, November 19, 6-9:30 PM
- CPR/AED (Heartsaver): Tuesday, December 3, 6-9 PM
The courses are also available as “hybrid” courses, with part online and followed by a brief skills session that is individually scheduled at CCHS. For more information visit www.ace.colonial.net or call 318-1432.
Fenn School Annual Sports Sale
The 45th Annual Sports Sale takes place at The Fenn School in Concord on Saturday November 2! We have a wide selection of gently-used sports equipment for boys and girls covering a variety of sports including lacrosse, hockey, soccer and baseball and at low prices. Representatives from Hardy’s Ski Emporium will be on-hand to offer an assortment of brand new skis, boots and poles at great before-season prices. Gym doors open at 9:00 a.m. and close promptly at noon. The Fenn School is located at 516 Monument Street in Concord.
November Events at the Concord Free Public Library
Third Grade Book Eaters Club Let’s share our favorite books (old & new). Plus games, crafts, and food! November 20 at 4pm. Let’s explore different subjects in the Non Fiction area: Pets, poetry, cooking, crafts, space, history… Show & Tell… Bring a favorite Non Fiction Book to Share Activity… Do the Dewey Decimal Hunt Food… Dewey Mix Snack: What Do We mix together to remember the Dewey Decimal system?
The BookMarkers
A Book Discussion and Activity Club for Kids in Grade 4 & 5. Book Discussion: PI in the SKY by Wendy Mass. Copies of the book available at the Library. Activity: Make Mini Apple Pies. Tuesday November 12 at 7PM.
For both, register @ www.concordlibrary.org. Walk-ins also welcome. Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street. For more info call (978) 318-3358.
MySchoolBucks Lunch Account Balance: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/
Math Resources for Parents: http://thoreau.colonial.net/Teachers/Link/ParentResources
The next issue of Thoreau Announcements will be published on October 31, 2013. Submission Deadline: 9 pm Monday, October 28, 2013. Submission guidelines: Submissions must be school or community related and not commercial in nature. Submit your item in the body of an email (no attachments); it should be brief and have minimal formatting – no bullet points or underlining, please. Email your submission to announcements@thoreauptg.org.